Land Acquisition Act has been refined : President Pranab Mukherjee

23 Feb, New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said the land acquisition Act has been “refined” to minimise some procedural difficulties in acquiring land for critical projects and that inclusive growth is government’s topmost priority.
Addressing a joint session of both houses of parliament, the president asserted that Union Government attached paramount importance to safeguard the interest of farmers and families affected by land acquisition.
“While taking utmost care to protect the interest of farmers, including their compensation entitlements, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act has been suitably refined to minimize certain procedural difficulties in acquisition of land inevitably required for critical public projects of infrastructure and for creation of basic amenities like rural housing, schools and hospitals, particularly in remote areas” Mukherjee said..
President’s statement favouring the Land acquisition Act came on the face of opposition political parties protest and on the day when social activist Anna Hazare launched stir at Jantar Mantar protesting the NDA Government’s Land acquisition ordinance. Terming the land act as anti-farmer and undemocratic, Anna demanded immediate repeal of the Ordinance.
President said that the National Democratic Alliance government has embarked on a comprehensive strategy in nine months to unleash the country’s full potential.
The president also said that the government had accelerated the modernisation of armed forces with strong emphasis on “Make in India”.
He said the government has initiated measures to stir action in a range of areas from sanitation to smart cities, poverty elimination to creation of wealth, skill development to conquering space, tapping demographic dividend to diplomatic initiatives.
Mukherjee said the government had also taken steps to enhance ease of doing business, put in place a stable policy framework, empower individuals, ensure quality infrastructure, end financial untouchability, make the country a manufacturing hub, contain inflation, stimulate economy, ignite minds, ensure inclusive growth, promote cooperative federalism and encourage a competitive spirit among the states.
“A strong beginning has been made. A promising future awaits us,” he said.
Describing terrorism and left wing extremism, as “a grave challenge” to the country’s internal security, the president said the government was “firmly committed to deal with them”.
“Inclusive growth covering the poorest of poor from the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of our society is my government’s topmost priority,” the president said.
He referred to various schemes launched by the NDA government including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Swachh Bharat Misssion, Skill India programme and Housing for all by 2022.
The president also said that legal reforms were a priority for the government and it was committed to repeal obsolete laws, simplify procedures, swift decision-making and taking governance to the doorstep of the poor.
Stating that the laws in parliament reflect the people’s will and aspirations, the president urged the parliamentarians to discharge their responsibility in a spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation.
“By channelising the patriotic energies of every citizen, we must collectively work towards building a strong and modern India. Ek Bharat shresth Bharat (One India, Great India),” he said.
Poitng out that robust infrastructure is critical for accelerating economic development and reviving economic growth, President said Indian Railways are the arteries of our economy. Gvernment is committed to reform and infuse new vitality into this sector through better services, improved passenger-safety, and increased movement of freight.
He said, two Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), namely, Eastern DFC and Western DFC are likely to be commissioned by 2019. Action for conducting feasibility studies for the Diamond Quadrilateral project of High Speed Trains connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata has been taken up. Metro Rail projects have been sanctioned for Ahmadabad and Nagpur.